Explosive missile



H.- G. SAAL. EXPLOSWE MISSILE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 30,!918.

Patented Nov. 4, .1919.

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H. G. SAAL.

EXPLOSIVE MISSILE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 30.1918.

1 ,320,991 Patented Nov. 4, 19K).

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STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY SAAL, OF CHICGO, ILIJIN'OIS.

EXPLOSIVE MISSILE.

To all whom/it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY G. SAAL, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have-invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Explosive vMissiles, ,of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description,

My invention relates to explosive missiles and is of particular service when used in connection with shrapnel shells, though the invention is not to be limited to any particular character \pf missile and employs motors forefiecting explosion. In the embodiment of the invention herein disclosed a spring motor mechanically releases a fir ng hammer which in turn operates upon a firing cap, though I do not wishto limit my 1nvention to a mechanical control ofthe explosion.

In carrying out my invention I employ a shell containing an explosive, a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; means for firing the explosive in the shell, a pin in controlling relation to said firing means whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and whose inner end is adjacent to and in actuating relation with said firing means, a motor, preferably a spring motor, within sa d motor cage in drivin connection wlth the pm and operating therein in a direction to force the travel of the pin toward the firing means tofire said explosive, and a detent carried by and engageable with the pin. When the invention is embodied in a missile whose explosion is mechanically effected the aforesaid pin is in the nature of a tripping pin i and operates to release the firing hammer that is within striking range of a detonating cap which is" carried by a partition that separates the explosive containmg shell from the motor cage. The detent is provided with a releasing lever adapted in one position permit the detent to hold the tnpplng pin against its operation by the sprlngmotor and in another position'to release such detent to permit the spring motor to move 'the tripping pin to hammer releasing -pos1t1on.

A delivery guide or tube is provided through which the missile is discharged which guide has a formation to engage said lever towithdraw said detent to permit the spring motor to move the tripping pin to firing position Specification of Letters Patent. I Pate 1ted Nov, 4, 1919,- Application filed July 30, 1918. Serial a... 247,857.

as the missile is in travel. The extent of travel of the pin while the missile is in trans1 t 1s regulated by suitably withdrawing the p1n away from the trailing end of the shell,

the pin being held in its adjusted position by the detent and being allowed to move when the detent is released on the passage of the missile through the delivery tube or guide. A missile equipped in accordance with my invention ma be readily timed to explode while in translt and is also adapted to be exploded by concussion upon striking the earth or the object toward which it is directed if the explosion does not occur beforehand.

The device of my invention is primarily designed for use in aerial warfare but the invention is not to be restricted to this particular use. The missile may be dropped from an aeroplane toward another aeroplane and, by being timed to explode in transit within fifteen feet above the second exploded by concussion. If a missile of this.

type is employed in aerial bombardment it should be timed to explodeabout fifteen feet above the ground or object, particularly if it is a shrapnel shell structure as the shrapnel is most effectively scattered at this height above the ob ect but if it should, before-exploding, encounter mud or soft soil which is not itself capable of firing the missile the mud will 'be penetrated until the harder earth below the mud is encountered to explode the missile by concussion.

I will explain my invention more fully by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred embodiment thereof and in which Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a missile of my invention shown within a delivery tube or guide that is illustrated in section; Fig. 2 is a View in sectional elevation of the upper portion of the missile illustrated in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 illustrates a modification of the structure appearing in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line H of Fig.

2; Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 2; Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 66 of Fig. 2; and Fig. 7 is a sectional View on line 77 of Fig. 2.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the different figures.

The shell 1, as shown, is a shrapnel shell containing bullets 2' of any suitable shape which surround the bursting charge 3 contained within the central tube 1. The motor cage 5 is at the upper or trailing end of the shell 1, these two elements being coupled by a joint ring 6 which is threaded upon its interior to have threaded engagement with the threaded exterior of the shell 1 and which ring is threaded upon its exterior to have threaded engagement with the threaded interior of the cage 5. The trailing end of the shell 1 carries a partition 7 which in turn carries two detonating caps 8 in the structure of Fig. 2 and one detonating cap in the structure of Fig. 3. In this second structure the shell 1 is smaller and has an external filling ring 1 for coupling the shell with the joint ring. In the structllrc of Fig. 2 the partition 7 is threaded into place whereas in the structure of Fig. 3 it is an integral part of they shell 1 and is shouldered to be clamped between the ring 1 and the plate 9 which, in both structures, is integrally formed with the ring 6;.this plate having an opening 10 into which the striking end or ends of the cap or caps 8 project. The plate 9 constitutes a support for the mountings 11, 12 for the firing hammers 13 which are pivoted on said mountings at 14. Each firing hammer has a catch formation 15 engaged by a trigger catch 16 to hold the firing hammer in withdrawn or cocked position. Each firing hammer also has a cam. formation 17 engaged by a leaf spring 18 for turning the firing hammer when the trigger catch 16 is released. In the structure of Fig; 2 each firing hammer is individual to one of the caps 8 and is not in striking relation to the other. VVher-eonly one cap is employed it is centrally disposed as illustrated in Fig. 3 on which account one of the firing hammers has its striking part 13 adjustably rotatable upon the balance of such hammer so as to bring the contact end thereof at the axis of the shell to strike the single cap of Fig. 3 or away from the axis of the shell to strike one of the two caps to which it is individual in construction of Fig. 2. By this arrange ment a given motor cage with its equipment is adaptable to a shell having one pin or one having two pins. A binding screw 13 .serves to secure the adjustment of the ham:

mer part 13 The trigger catches 16 are carried upon triggers 19 in the form of jaws which are normally held in engagement with each other by a retractile coiled spring 20, this spring serving to hold the trigger catches 16 in engagement with the firing hammers individual thereto. When the trigger jaws 19 are spread apartthe trigger catches 16 are rotated toward each other to uncocking positions to permit the springs 18 to operate upon the cams 1.7, the springs then effecting the forceful I movement of the firing hammers toward the detonating caps. Each hammer has a thumb piece 21 by which it may be engaged to be rotated into position to be held or cocked by, the corresponding trigger catch 16. The upper ends ofthe jaws 19 are preferably so formed as to produce a conical pocket tapering toward the 5. This shank is formed with rack teeth engaged by a gear wheel or pinion 24 of a gear train which is driven by the spring motor 25. This gear wheel is driven in a direction to force the travel of the tripping pin to ward the triggers to engage the inner end of the pin with thetriggers to release the hammers. A plunger detent 26, carried by and projecting transversely of the motor cage, is engageable with the toothed shank of the tripping pin to hold this pin from movement by the spring motor toward the triggers. A detent withdrawing lever 27 is pivoted upon the exterior of the motor cage, this lever being connected with the detent and adjustable to extend either longitudinally or transversely of the detent and constructed, when longitudinal of the detent,

to permit the spring 28 to force the detent 26 into holding engagement with the teeth upon the pin shank 23. When this trip lever is disposed transversely ofthe detent it operates to withdraw the detent. from engagement with the shank of the tripping pin whereupon the spring motor is free to operate the train of gears and force the movement of the tripping pin into engagement with the triggers to release or uncock the firing hammers. The shank of the tripping pin also has a rack formation in driving connection with an index pinion 29 which has radial marks thereon indicating the distancesthrough which the missile may be adapted to travel before exploding and, if desired, also the various lengths of time through which the missile may travel before is desirably provided with vanes 32 to aid in directing the missile in its travel. The missile is desirably passed through a delivery guide or tube 33 carrying a part in the path of the withdrawing lever 27 when such lever is setto project longitudinally of the detent 26. As the missile passes through the delivery guide the lever 27. is turned to occupy a position transverse of the detent 26 as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2,

the lever inthis position serving'to withdraw the detent to permit the tripping pin to travel toward the triggers. The missile is automatically set to explode by being passed through the guide, the explosion occurring at a measured interval, determined by the place where the detent engages the pin shank, after the missile passes through the delivery guide. The spring motor may be provided with a winding shaft 34 in alinement with a key hole 35 in the motor cage whereby the motor may be wound.

-The motor is desirably wound while the tripping pin is out of engagement with the gear wheel 24 at which time the head 22, which has threaded connection with the shank of the pin, is removed. When the motor has been sufiiciently wound the pin shank 23 is moved forwardly into mesh with the gear 24 whereafter the head 22 is screwed into position. The abutment. 36 upon the trailing end of the pin is engageable with the exterior of the motor cage to limit the extent to which the pin may be moved toward the shell.- The finger ring 37 is swiveled to the abutment 36. By pulling upon this ring upwardly or rearwardly the tripping pin-is withdrawn to the desired position indicated by the markin upon the index pinion 29 that shows throug the opening 31 in the casin for this pinion, the lever 27 at this time ieing transverse to the detent 26. When the pin has been withdrawn to the desired position said lever is brought into alinement with said detent to hold the pin against the action of the spring motor until the missile has beendroppedthrough the delivery guide 33.

The gear 24 should be drivenat a uniform rate of speed on which account I employ a speed governor which is preferably inclusive of a governor gear wheel 38 which is driven by but is preferably not included within the gear train. This wheel 38 is in mesh with the worm 39 upon a governor V the shaft 40..

shaft 40. A collar 41 shaft and a brake disk 42 I is movable longitudlnally of the shaft. Strip metal springs 43 couple the collar 41 with the hub of the disk 42.

These springs carry weights 44 that respond centrifugally to the speed of As the speed increases the disk 42 moves toward the collar 41 and toward the brake pad'45. When the disk encounters said pad the rotation of the shaft '40 is checked so that the gear train, and

particularly the gear wheel 24, cannot move above the limiting speed which is determined by the position of said pad. This pad may be mounted upon a spring arm 46 in suitable connection with a rod 47 that is in threaded connection with a post 48 which is carried by and within'the motor cage. A knurled knob 49 upon the exterior of the motor cage is in fixed connection with the rod 47. This knob may be provided with an index or pointer 50 adapted to register with the speed indicating dial 51 to aid in the adjustment of the motor speed.

The entire structure may be providedwith a guarding plate C2 normally covering the .cap or caps 8 and intervening between them maturely assuminga position transverse to the detent 26 I employ a square tube 53 which incloses the tripping lever and extends beyond its. pivotal point whereby the tripping lever is preserved in alinement with the detent. .This square tube 53 slips over the inner end of the spring barrel 54 that incloses the spring 28 and serves to keep the lever 27 in alinement with such barrel and the detent 26 since such square tube surrounds not only the spring barrel but also surrounds said lever as indicated in Fig.2. When it is desired to place the lever 27 at right angles to the detent the square tube is slipped ofi the spring barrel sufficiently to permit said lever to turn. This lever is pivotally connected with the detent farther from either of the sides of the lever than the adjacent end of such lever so that when the lever is turned at right angles to the detent it will" force a withdrawal of the detent against the force'of the spring 28.

While I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention I do not wish to be limited to is fixed upon this the precise details of construction shown as carried by said partition for firing the explosive in the shell and having its striking end accessible to said hammer; a tripping in whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and is formed with rack teeth and whose inner end is adjacent the trigger and is adapted to engage the same release the hammer; a spring mot-or with n sald motor cage; a gear train drlven by the motor and including a gear wheel meshing with rack teeth upon the shank of the trlpplng pm and turning in a direction to force the travel of the tripping pin toward the trigger to engage the inner end of the pln wlth the trigger to release the hammer; plunger detent carried by and projecting transversely of the motor. cage to be engageable with teeth upon the tripping pin; a pivoted detent Withdrawing lever upon the exterior of the motor cage connected with the detent and adjustable to extend either longitudinally or transversely of the detent and constructed, when longitudmal of the detent, to permit of the engagement of the detent and pin and when transverse of the detent to withdraw it; and an index pinion mounted upon the exterior of the motor cage andop- "erated by the shank of the pm, 11 comblnation with a delivery guide carrying a part to engage said lever to withdraw detent.

2. An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; a partition separating said shell and cage; a firing hammer; a trigger mounted in said motor cage for releasing said hammer; a detenating cap carried by said partition for firmg the explosive in the shell and'having its striking end ac cessible to said hammer; a tripping pin whose shank projects away from the shellthrough the trailing end of the motor cage and whose inner end is adjacent the trigger and is adapted to engage the same to release the hammer; a spring motor within said motor cage in driving connection with the trip-ping pin and operating therein in a di rection to force the travel of the pin toward the trigger to engage the inner end of the pin with the trigger to release the hammer; a detent carried by and engageable with the tripping pin; and a detent withdrawing lever upon the exterior of the motor cage connected with the detent and adjustable to permit or prevent the engagement of the detent and pin 7 3. An explosive missile including a shell containing anexplosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; a partition separating said shell and cage; a firing hammer; trigger mounted in said motor cage for releasing said hammer; a detonating cap carried by said partition for firing the explosive in the shell and having its striking end accessible to said hammer; a tripping pin whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and is formed with rackteeth and whose inner end is adjacent the trigger and is adapted to engage the same and release the hammer; a spring motor within said motor cage;

.a gear train driven by the motor and including a gear wheel meshing with rack teeth upon the shank of the tripping pin and turning in a direction to force the travel of the tripping pin toward the trigger to engage the inner end of the pin with the trigger to release the hammer; and a plunger detent carried by and projecting transversely of the motor cage to be engageable with teeth upon the tripping pin.

4. An expiosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; a partition separating said shell and cage; a firing hammer; a trigger mounted in said motor cage for releasing said hammer; a tripping pin whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and whose inner end is adjacent the trigger and is adapted to engage the same to release the hammer; a spring motor within said motor cage in driving connection with the tripping pin and operating therein in a direction to force the travel of the pin toward the trigger to engage the inner end of the'pin with the trigger to release the hammer; and a detent carried by and engageable with the tripping pin.

5. An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; a motor cage at the traiiing end of the shell; a partition separating said shell and cage; a firing hammer; a trigger mounted in said inotor cage 1orvreleasing said hammer; a detonating cap carried by said partition for firing the explosive in the shell and having its striking end accessible to said hammer; a tripping pin whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and is formed with rack teeth and whose inner end is adjacent the trigger and is adapted to engage the same and release the hammer; a spring motor within said motor cage; a gear train driven by the motor and including a gear wheel meshing with rack teeth upon the shank of the tripping pin and turning in a direction to force the travel of the tripping pin toward the trigger to engage the inner end of the pin with the trig ger to release the hammer; a plunger detent carried by and projecting transversely of the motor cage to be engageable wit teeth upon the tripping pin; and a detent withdrawin lever, in combination with a delivery gulde carrying a part to engage the trailing end of the motor cage and whose inner end is adjacent the trigger and is adapted to engage the same to release the hammer; a spring motor within said motor cage in driving connection with the tripping pin and operating therein in a direc-t tion to force the travel of the pin toward the trigger to engage the inner end of the pin-with the trigger to release the hammer; a detent carried by and engageable with the tripping pin; and a detent withdrawing lever, in combination with a delivery guide carrying a part to engage said lever to withdraw said detent.

7. An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of'the shell; means for firing the explosive in the shell; a pin in controlling relation to said firing means and whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and is formed with rack teeth and whose inner end is adjacent to and in actuating relation with said firing means; a spring motor within said motor cage; a gear train driven by the motor and including a gear wheel meshing with rack teeth upon the shank of the pin and turning in a direction toforce the travel of the pin toward the firing means to fire said explosive; a plunger detent carried by and projecting transversely of the motor cage to be engageable with teeth upon the pin; a pivoted detent withdrawing lever upon the exterior of the motor cage conling relation to said firin nectedwith the detent and adjustable to extend either longitudinally or transversely of the detent and constructed, when longitudinal of the detent, to permit of the engage,

ment vof the detent and pin and when transverse of the detent to withdraw it; and an index pinion mounted upon the exterior of the motor cag and operated by the shank of the pin, in combination with a delivery guide carrying a part to engage said lever to withdraw said detent.

An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; means forfiring the explosive in the shell; a pin in controlmeans whose shank project away from t e shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and whose Vsive; a detent carried by inner end is adjacent to and in actuating re lation with said firing means; a spring motor within said motor cage in driving connection with the pin and operating therein 1n a direction to force the travel of the pin toward the firing means to fire said exploand engageable with the pm; and a detent withdrawing lever upon the exterior of the motor cage connected with the detent and adjustable to permlt or prevent the engagement of the detent and pin.

9. An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; means for firing the explosive in the shell; a pin in controlling relation to said firing means and whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and is formed with rack teeth and whose inner end is adjacent to and in actuating relation with said firing means; a spring motor within said motor cage; a gear train driven by the motor and including a gear wheel meshing with rack teeth upon the shank of the pin and turning in a direction to force the travel of the pin toward the firing means to fire said explosive; and a plunger detent carried by and projecting transversely of the motor cage to be engageable with teeth upon the P111.

10. An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; means for firing the explosive in the shell; a pin in controlling relation to said firing means whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and whose inner end is adjacent to and in actuating relation with said firing means; a spring motor within said motor cage in driving connection with the pin and operating therein in a direction to force the travel of the pin toward the firing means to fire said explosive; and a detent carried by and engageable with the pin.

11'. An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; means for firing the explosive in the shell; a pin in controlling relation to said firing means and whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage andis formed with rack teeth and whose. inner end is adjacent to and in actuating relation with said firing means; a spring motor within said motor cage; a gear train driven by the motor and including a gear wheel meshing with rack teeth upon the shank of the pin and turning in a direction to force the travel of the in toward the firing means to fire sai explosive; a plunger detent carried by and projecting transversely of the motor cage to be engageable with teeth upon the pin; and a detent withdrawing lever, in combination with a delivery guide carrying a part to engage said lever to Withdraw said-detent.

12. An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; amotor cage at the trailing end of the shell; means for firing the explosive in the shell; a pin in controlling relation to said firing means whose shank projects away from the shell through v the tralling end of the motor cage and whose inner end is adjacent to and in actuating relation with said firing means; a spring to withdraw said detent.

13. An explosive missile including a shell contamlng an explosive; a motor cage at v the trailing end of the shell; means for firing the explosive in the shell; a'pin in con trolling relation to said firing means and whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and is formed with rack teeth and whose inner end is adjacent to and in actuating relation with said firing means; a motor within said motor cage; a gear train driven by the motor and including a gear wheel meshing with rack teeth upon the shank of the pin toward the firing means to fire said explosive; a plunger detent carried by and projecting transversely of the motor cage t-o-be engageable with teeth upon the 'pin; a pivoted detent withdrawing lever upon the exterior of the motor cage connected with the detent and adjustable to extend either longitudinally or transversely of the detent and constructed, when longitudinal of the detent, to permit of the engagement of the detent and pin and when transverse of the detent to withdraw it; and an index pinion mounted upon the exterior of the motor cage and operated by the shank of the pin, in combination with a delivery guide carrylng a part to engage said lever to withdraw said detent.

14. An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; means for firing the explosive in the shell; a pin in con-' trolling relation to said firing means whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and whose inner end is adjacent to and in actuating relationvwithsaid firing means; a motor within said motor cage in driving connection with the pin and operating therein in a directionto force the travel of the pintoward pin, in combination with a delivery guide carrying a part to engage said lever to withdraw said detent.

15. A firing device including a striking hammer and a trigger for cocking the hammer, said hammer having a portion adjustable with respect to the balance thereof to determine the place where the hammer is to strike.

16. A firing device including a striking hammer and a trigger for cooking the hammer, the striking portion of the hammer being adjustable to determinewhere the hammer is to strike.

17. An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; means for firing the explosive in the shell; 'a pin in controlling relation to said firing means and whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and is formed with rack teeth and whose inner end is adjacent to and in actuating relation with said firing means; a motor within said motor cage; a gear train driven by the motor and including a gear wheel meshing with rack teeth upon the shank of the pin and turning in a directionto force the travel of the pin toward the firing means to fire said explosive; and a plunger detent carried by and projecting transversely of themotor cage to be engagable with teeth upon the pin,

containing an explosive; a motor cage at the trailing end of the shell; means for firing the explosive in the shell; a pin in controlling relation to said firing means whose shank projects away from the shell through the trailing end of the motor cage and whose inner end is adjacent to and in actuating relation with said firing means; a motor within said motor cage in driving connection with the pin and operating thereon in a direction to force the travel of the pin toward the firing means-to fire said explosive; and a detent carried by and engageable with the pin.

19. An explosive missile including a shell containing an explosive; means for firing the explosivein the shell; a motor; a pin in controlling relation to said firing means and operated by said motor; a detent for preventing the pin from being operated by the motor; a detent withdrawing lever; and means for normally preventing operation of said lever.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 25th day of July A. D., 1918. 

